Seattle Daily Post Intelligencer

EASTERN ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCH

Chicago, June 29.—Special Deputy Warden Rose was asked today how Guiteau deported himself. He said: "The man is as happy as a child. He speaks to nobody. The guards are not allowed to speak to him, and he never speaks to them."

"Does he sleep well?"

"Yes, he goes to sleep about 9 or 10 o'clock at night, and sleeps like a child till after daylight in the morning. He sleeps quietly without any tossing around or muttering or waking."

"What does he eat?"

"About 8 o'clock he orders his breakfast. We give him just what he wants. He calls for beefsteak, fried potatoes, fried eggs, rolls and coffee. He eats heartily, is an epicure in his diet, and he wants his food nicely prepared and delicately served. At noon he calls for lunch, and it is served, being always delicately served. At noon he calls for three poached eggs on toast and a cup of coffee. At 4 o'clock he dines, and his dinner is just like his lunch, three poached eggs on toast and coffee. His meat is cut up for him."

"Don't you give him a knife and fork?"

"No, nor spoons."

"Why don't you give him a knife and fork?"

"There is no telling what a man under sentence of death will do. The more quiet a man the closer he has to be watched. It is astonishing to what devices they will resort to kill themselves, even in spite of the sharpest watch. Guiteau might take it into his head to kill himself, and he always acts on the spur of the moment. The man has given a world of trouble for the past year."

The well-meaning officer heaved a deep sigh, as much as to say: "I wish he was gone," but he did not make any un-officer-like observation.

"What has the man actually in his possession?" was asked.

"Only his Bible," was the reply.

"Has he nothing then with which he could kill himself?"

"Oh yes; he could kill himself in fifteen or twenty minutes, if he was not watched, provided he so desired. He could hang himself with his sheet, or his suspenders, or his handkerchief. No, the only way to do is to watch a man under sentence."

"Still, you say he appears happy and satisfied."

"Yes, but it don't do to trust a man under such circumstances. He might change his mind."

Invitations to the Autopsy.

Washington, June 29.—Dr. George M. Beard has sent telegraphic invitations to many doctors to attend the autopsy on Guiteau's body tomorrow afternoon. He does not believe the autopsy will show the condition of Guiteau's mind or show him insane.

Farewell Visits and Final Preparations.

U. S. JAIL, WASHINGTON, June 29.—At 3:55 p. m., while a reporter was in the cell, an attendant called in and presented Guiteau with a large and beautiful bouquet. "Where did this come from?" asked the prisoner.

"From your sister," the guard replied.

Guiteau pressed it to his lips and wept bitterly for a few minutes, and then suddenly conquered his emotion and exclaimed: "This does not become a man who is about to meet his God, for doing God's will!" This was the only exhibition of tenderness that he had given.

At his suggestion and direction Reed then drew up his will, in which he desired that his body be given to Dr. Hicks, but on no account to be used for any mercenary purposes. He also gives to Hicks his book and other papers, to be used in writing his biography. Reed also drew up the following paper at Guiteau's request, which was presented to Warden Crocker:

Washington, June 29.

To General John J. Crocker, Warden U. S. Jail:—We, Francis M. Scoville and John W. Guiteau, sister and brother and only heirs of Charles J. Guiteau, to be executed on the 30th day of June, 1882, in the United States Jail, in the District of Columbia, hereby request you to deliver the body of the said Charles J. Guiteau to Rev. Wm. Hicks after such execution.

(Signed) Francis M. Scoville
John W. Guiteau.

Witnesses, Charles H. Reed, Alvira A. Chevallier, J. W. W. Godding.

Guiteau thanked Reed for his efforts in his behalf, and becoming greatly excited he exclaimed: "As for President Arthur, he is a coward, an ingrate, and he will be punished hereafter."

Reed started to go, when Guiteau said: "Wait one moment; I wish to say something more."

He then sat down to the table, and in a firm, bold hand, wrote the following and handed it to Reed, who came from the cell deeply affected by the interview.

To my dear friend, Chas. H. A. Reed: I am only too glad to express to you my unbounded appreciation of your services in my behalf. You did splendidly. May God reward you for it. Meet me in Heaven.

(Signed) CHAS. J. GUITEAU.

United States Jail, June 28, 1882.

Dr. Hicks remained about 15 minutes longer with the prisoner, but was unable to turn his thoughts away from the consideration of his surroundings. When he retired from the cell, Mrs. Scoville and her little daughter and John W. Guiteau were admitted. Their interview with the prisoner lasted 15 minutes.

the warden and deputy being present.

Guiteau was at first much excited, and roundly abused the President and those wretches, as he termed them, who had hounded him to the scaffold, "and you, too," he cried out, pointing his finger at Gov. Crocker and the deputy; "you will be both sent to hell." In a few minutes he calmed down, said he was ready to die, and wanted to be hung at 12 o'clock sharp. At parting he said: "Let me kiss my sister through the grated bars, and let it so go on record." After kissing his sister and little niece, he turned to his brother, and handing him a dime, said: "Here is the ten cents due the washerwoman. I guess you had better settle that balance today."

Mrs. Scoville and her brother John then took leave of him, and passing directly to their carriages, were taken back to the city. Guiteau is now (at 4 o'clock), perfectly quiet and composed, and apparently in deep meditation.

U. S. JAIL (midnight).—Guiteau, at about 6 o'clock took a supper of broiled steak, toast, potatoes and raspberries. He was then shaved by Capt. Torrence. At 7 o'clock Deputy Warden Russ visited him and found him quieter but he talked in his usual vein, and exhibited some nervousness. Lying down asleep about fifteen minutes after 8 o'clock, he requested McWilliams to see that the machine be in working order, so that he might get off at 12 o'clock tomorrow.

Dr. Hicks and John W. Guiteau called at 1:30. Dr. Hicks was admitted, but the assassin refused to admit John. Guiteau introduced the topic, saying that he felt like a child going home to its father, and that he would see his Heavenly father in the morning. He read a short poem in simplicity, and joined the doctor in silent prayer. He was at midnight in a better frame of mind than during the day, and said he expected a good rest during the remainder of the night.

It has been decided, Reed says, that Guiteau be buried in the east wing of the jail. The execution will take place about half past one. Guiteau is prepared and will read at the proper time what he calls "My dying prayer on the gallows." Reed, who has seen it, describes it as a remarkable production, and one of which he did not think Guiteau was capable.

Whether he will make any address or remark other than this, is not known.

At 1:45 a. m., Guiteau is sleeping quietly, except that he is frequently disturbed by a crazy negro woman who is making the night hideous with yells. He has turned over once or twice, but otherwise seems to rest quietly.

The Gift of Guiteau's Body.

The letter in the nature of a will by which Guiteau disposes of his body is as follows:

WASHINGTON, D. C., June 29, 1882.

To Rev. Wm. A. Hicks: I, Charles J. Guiteau, of the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia, now under sentence of death, which is to be carried into effect between the hours of 12 and 2 o'clock, on the 30th day of June, A. D. 1882, in the United States jail, in said District, do hereby give and grant you my body after such execution: Provided, however, it shall not be used for any mercenary purposes, and I hereby, for a good and sufficient consideration, give, deliver and transfer to said Hicks my book entitled "The Truth and Removal," and copyright thereof, to be used by him in writing a truthful history of my life and execution, and I direct that such history be entitled, "The Life and Work of Chas. J. Guiteau," and I hereby solemnly proclaim and announce to all the world that no person or persons shall ever in any manner use my body for any mercenary purpose whatsoever, and if at any time hereafter any persons shall desire to honor my remains, they can do it by erecting a monument whereon shall be inscribed these words: "Here lies the body of Chas. J. Guiteau, a patriot and a Christian. His soul is in glory."

(Signed) CHAS. J. GUITEAU.

Witnessed by Chas. H. Reed and James Woodard.

A Prayer for the Wretch.

Washington, June 29.—Chas. H. Reed, counsel for Guiteau, says: "I have seen nothing as yet to shake my conviction that Guiteau will die tomorrow without weakness or faltering. His courage is not that of the criminal, or mere ruffian, who takes pride in dying game. It is rather that of the martyr, of the man who suffers and dies for the sake of some religious principle. I thought at one time he was beginning to weaken. I saw in the newspapers his spiritual adviser had been called in, and the thought occurred to me perhaps Guiteau had begun to realize he had committed a crime, and needed divine forgiveness, and that he wished to make preparations for death. The next time I saw him I said: 'Charles, I see by the papers you have called in a minister. Do you feel as if you needed to prepare for death? Do you repent of what you have done?' He looked at me with a wild expression in the eyes, and shouted 'No! I haven't called in any minister. I haven't done anything wrong. The minister came of his own accord. I didn't send for him.' Two or three days afterwards I was introduced to Dr. Hicks, whom I never had previously met and said to him: 'Doctor, has Guiteau ever shown in his talk with you any consciousness of having done wrong, any feeling of repentance, or desire of forgiveness?' 'None whatever,' he replied. 'He has maintained consistently throughout that he has done no wrong, that he has simply done God's service, and has nothing to repent of.' 'Up to the present time,' Reed added, 'Guiteau talked of his death without manifestation whatever of fear of death. He said to me today, 'Mr. Reed, what are you going to do with my body?' I told him that was a very painful subject to talk about, and that I would rather not go into that, but that he might rest assured his body would be properly cared for. He said: 'I don't care particularly what is done with it, so long as it is not used for gain.' I assured him again his body should not be desecrated or used for any mercenary purpose. 'What do you mean by that?' he queried. I explained to him the meaning of mercenary, and he said: 'That's all right. Perhaps that is a better word. I don't want my body used for gain.'" In handing Reed today a farewell letter which he wrote just before bidding him good-bye, Guiteau said: "This, my best friend, is the only compensation I can give you for your services to me. You have never lied to me, nor deceived me, while nearly everybody else has. I am going to Heaven tomorrow at 1 o'clock, and I wish you were going with me."

U. S. Jail, Washington, June 30—9:45 a.m.—Guiteau was very restless during most of the latter part of the night. Towards morning he fell into a sounder sleep, from sheer exhaustion. He rose a few minutes after five, and breakfasted heartily. He told them to bring dinner in at 11 o'clock promptly. Dr. Hicks, who remained at the jail all night, was called into the prisoner's cell soon as he rose, and held conversation on religious subjects with him. At 8 o'clock Dr. Hicks saw the prisoner again, when he made a request to have a bath, and asked Hicks to go out and see the scaffold. Guiteau desired him to arrange with the warden to have the trap sprung as soon after 12 o'clock as possible. He also expressed considerable anxiety lest some accident should occur, and insisted that Hicks should see that the scaffold and its appurtenances were all in proper condition.

After Guiteau had disposed of those matters he read a poem composed by himself, which he calls "Simplicity, or Religious Baby Talk." After the reading he attempted to sing, but broke down in the effort. Guiteau then talked for some time about the future. He told Hicks that he wanted him to offer first a prayer on the scaffold, saying he (Guiteau) would then read his favorite scriptural passage, "the tenth chapter of John," and offer a prayer on his own account. Then he intended, he said, to read his poem "Simplicity." He desired to have the execution so arranged that just as he uttered the last word the trap should be sprung.

John W. Guiteau arrived at the jail at 9 o'clock, and was followed in a few minutes by Warden Crocker. These two gentlemen with Hicks had a consultation as to the disposition of the body.

Washington, June 30.—An enterprising colored man has erected a booth to furnish refreshments to the weary and thirsty people. Mounted messengers are speeding to and from the city, and carriages bringing visitors to the jail. At 10 o'clock Guiteau expressed a desire to take a bath. No one but the "death watch" was with him. It was quite apparent that his object in bathing was simply to distract his thoughts of approaching death. He evinced increased nervousness, and his sudden movements, manner and the marked tremor in his tones when he attempted to speak impressed the guard with the belief that he was rapidly weakening.

The rotunda was thrown open at 10 o'clock. Newspaper men at once flocked in. There were few other people there, except the jail guard and a squad of artillerymen, who looked down on the scene leading to the scaffold.

Early this morning the prisoners in that part of the jail looking at the court where the gallows stands were all moved to other quarters, and locked in their cells.

At 9 o'clock this morning the jail officers had a rehearsal of the part they are to play in the execution. For the purpose chiefly of testing the appliances at the gallows, a bag of sand weighing 160 pounds was attached to a noose, the trap was sprung by means of a trigger, the rope of which was pushed into one of the cellars of the north wing. At 11 a. m. Mrs. Scoville, Guiteau's sister, who had said yesterday that she would not come to see the hanging, appeared at the jail door and demanded to be admitted. The warden, knowing that her presence there would cause a scene, had given orders that she be not admitted. The guards told her she could not enter. The woman at first begged to be admitted, and then denounced the officials for their brutal conduct. John W. Guiteau was sent for, and he succeeded in pacifying his sister. He found her in great excitement, bordering upon hysteria, but in a short time he succeeded in cooling her, and dissuading her from any attempt to witness the execution. She acknowledged the propriety of such course, but said she could not possibly remain in the city during all the wretched hours of the morning. She brought with her flowers which Guiteau asked for, and they were taken to the prisoner. Mrs. Scoville also brought two handsome flower pieces, cross, and an anchor which she will place upon her brother's coffin with her own hands.

11:15 a.m.—While Dr. Hicks was in the prisoner's cell, at 11 o'clock, Guiteau made some requests as to the execution, and the hangman having made copies of his last prayer poem and other writings he tore up the originals. He then sent for the jail boot black, and gave him his shoes to be shined. His dinner was then brought as the doctor was leaving, and he ate with much relish. His dinner consisted of a pound of broiled steak, a dish of fried potatoes, four slices of toast and a quart of coffee. Dr. Hicks, when he came out of the cell, said that the prisoner had not the slightest fear. "We have had a pleasant religious talk. He feels his preparation is completed, and is ready for the last formality. He commits his soul to God with the utmost confidence. I think he will show some emotion, because the nervous strain is so great. Nobody," Dr. Hicks said, "had seen the prisoner at that time except himself and the jail officers."

At 11 o'clock Dr. McDonald, of New York, Dr. Francis Loring, of this city, expert witnesses at the trial of Guiteau, arrived at the jail. Dr. McDonald said, as he understood it, the autopsy would be performed by three physicians selected by friends of the condemned man. Afterwards the brain would be removed for further examination. The three physicians selected to perform the autopsy are Dr. Lamb, who made the autopsy of Garfield, Drs. Sauers and Harrington, deputy Coroner of this city. Dr. Loring expects to make a thorough examination of the prisoner's eyes.

The following is what Guiteau terms: "My dying prayer on the gallows:"

Father, now I go to Thee and the Savior. I have finished the work Thou gavest me to do, and I am only too happy to go to Thee. The world does not appreciate my mission, but Thou knowest it, Thou knowest Thou didst inspire Garfield's removal, and only good has come from it. This is the best evidence that the inspiration came from Thee, and I have set it forth in my book that all men may know that Thou, Father, didst the act for which I am murdered. This Government and Nation by this act I know will incur Thy eternal enmity, as did the Jews by killing my Savior. The retribution in that case came quick and sharp, and I know the Divine law of retribution will strike the nation and my murderers in the same way. The diabolical spirit of this nation, its government and newspapers toward me will justify Thee in cursing them, and the divine law of retribution is inexorable. I therefore predict this nation will go down in blood, and my murderers from the executive to the hangman will go to hell. Thy laws are inexorable. Oh, Thou Supreme Judge, be with the men that violate Thy laws, only weeping and gnashing of teeth toward them. The American press has a large bill to settle with Thee, righteous Father, for their vindictiveness in this matter, nothing but blood will satisfy them, and now my blood be unto them and to this nation, and its officials. Arthur the President is a coward and an ingrate to the man that made him, and saved his party and land from overthrow, has no parallel in history, but Thou, righteous Father, will judge him. Father, Thou knowest me, but the world hath known me not. Now, I go to Thee Savior, without the slightest ill will toward a human being. Farewell, ye men of earth.

At 10 o'clock Dr. Hicks and J. W. Guiteau went with Crocker to the scaffold, together with a number of the guards. J. W. Guiteau ascended the steps and carefully examined the structure, handling carefully and inspecting all the fixtures both above and below the platform.

A telegram from New York, signed J. B. Bunnell, was received about 10 o'clock by Dr. Hicks, to ask if the sender could obtain possession of Guiteau's body to exhibit for the benefit of the Young Men's Christian Association. Dr. Hicks paid no attention to the message.

The drop fell at 12:40 and Guiteau showed great nervousness, and appeared greatly startled when he heard the rattle of muskets on the stone floor of the rotunda. From that moment Guiteau appeared thoroughly overcome with emotion. He wept freely and seemed to be in great anguish. The movement of officers about the jail doors he watched with eager attention. After the death warrant was read by the warden, the prisoner became more composed, and turning away began to brush his hair.

At 12:22 the loud steam whistle was blown at the jail. This whistle usually blows at 12 o'clock, and by it Guiteau was in the habit of gauging the time. The delay was by special arrangement so its startling summons might not come before the officers were ready.

Two minutes later the iron gates at the end of the corridor clicked, and then Warden Crocker made his appearance. A moment later the familiar face of Guiteau was seen. His face was pallid, and the muscles about the mouth moved nervously. Other than this there was no sign of faltering. The procession moved quietly to the scaffold, and Guiteau ascended the steps with as much steadiness as could be expected from a man whose arms were tightly pinioned. At the steps he faltered for a moment, and was assisted by the officers, who walked upon either side.

Upon reaching the platform Guiteau was placed immediately behind the drop, facing the front of the scaffold. Capt. Coleman stood upon his right; Robert Strong upon the left, and Woodward directly behind him. Jones took a position on the north side, near an upright beam, Warden Crocker took his position at the southeast corner of the structure. There was a slight delay while the spectators were pushing and jostling through the door leading from the rotunda to the corridor, at the lower end of which the gallows were placed.

Guiteau meanwhile gazed upon the crowd. He looked up at the beam over his head, and quickly made a survey of all the dread paraphernalia.

Dr. Hicks then offered up a prayer. During the prayer Guiteau stood with bowed head. At its conclusion Dr. Hicks opened a bible, and Guiteau in firm tones said: "I will read a selection from the 10th chapter of John, from the 28th to the 41st verses inclusive."

He then read in a clear strong voice, and with good intonation, showing little if any nervousness. Dr. Hicks then produced the manuscript which was prepared by the prisoner this morning, and held it before him. While Guiteau exhibited a slight nervousness, and moved several times from one foot to the other. He soon recovered composure, looked over the sea of upturned faces, and said: "I am now going to read to you my last dying prayer."

Shortly before 12 o'clock Guiteau seemed to break down completely and burst into tears and sobbed hysterically. Dr. Hicks sat by his side, fanning him, and vainly endeavoring to calm him.

When he had finished reading his prayer he again surveyed the crowd, and still with a firm voice said: "I am now going to read some verses which are intended to indicate my feelings at the moment of leaving the world. If set to music they may be rendered effective."

He then commenced to chant the verses in a sad, doleful style. His voice failed him during the chant, and he bowed his head and broke into sobs, but he rallied a little and went on with his chant. Dr. Hicks gave Guiteau his final benediction and farewell, saying: "God, the Father, be with thee, and give thee peace forevermore."

12:40—The crowd outside the jail has got word that Guiteau has been hanged and is rending the air with shouts, so that it is impossible to hear a voice inside the jail office. Guiteau's neck was broken by the fall, and not a movement of limb or body was detected. Death ensued instantly. The scaffold stood the test well.

Guiteau's body was cut down, dead at 1:18 p.m.